Mowing-machine



No. 750,942. PATENTBD PEB. 2,1904.A

. T. s. BROWN.`

MGWING MACHINE.

APPLIoATIoN PIL-nn JULY 2, 1901. A 11o MODEL. a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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1u l' a n. u. c. 'we Noms Pneus w. nmoumm rmsamcn'o No. 750,942. PATBNTED PEB. z, 1904.

Y T. s. BROWN.

MOWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2v 1901.

' xo MODEL. ,s SHEETS-SHEET z.

fr. s. BROWN. MOWIVNG MACHINE. APPLICATION .FILED JULY 2 IQOL NO MODEL.

UNITED STATE-s Patented February 2, 1904.

'PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS S. BROWN, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, 'NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ADRIANOE, PLATT & COMPANY, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettersrfatent No. 750,942, dated February 2, 1904.

Application filed July 2, 1901. Serial No. 66,848. (No model.) I

To @ZZ whom, t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS S. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,'and a resident of Poughkeepsie, in the county of Dutchess and State of New York, have' invented a new and useful Improvement in Mowing-lachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the coupling devices by which the inner shoe, to which the finger-bar is attached, is connected with the frame of the mowing-machine.

One object of my invention is to construct these coupling devices in such manner that the shoe and finger-bar can be tilted to adjust the front edgeA of the cutter. mechanism up or down while holding theV finger-bar firmly against backward sagging at the outer end.

Another object of my. invention is to provide simple means for adjusting the outer end of the linger-bar forwardly or backwardly, as may be necessary to maintain the finger-bar in its desired position.

Another object of my invention is to provide the coupling-head at the grainward end of the coupling-bar with a forward extension, which guides the tilting head, to which the shoe is hinged, and which may be provided with a leading-wheel when a short shoe is used or be without a wheel when a long shoe is used.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a mowing-machine provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the coupling-bar and connecting parts with the front brace removed. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of these parts with the front brace in place. Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of the inner shoe, tilting head, coupling head, and connecting parts viewed from the grainward side. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the inner shoe andconnecting parts. Fig. 7 is a detached rear elevation of the support for the gag-lever. Fig. S is a cross-section in line 8 8, Fig. '7, with the gag-lever indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section through the-'pivot of the tilting head in line 9 9, Fig.4. Fig. lO is a longitudinal sectional elevation in line 10 10, Fig. 4, looking grainward. Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-section through the adjustable eyebolt in line 11 1l, Fig. 4, on an .enlarged scale. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a front extension of the coupling-head without a leadingwheel.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the frame of a mowing or harvesting machine; A, the wheels; A2, the gears; A3, the seat; A4, the pole, and A5 the yielding draft device arranged on the under side of the pole. B represents the hand-lever, which is mounted on Vthe pole for operating the gaglever at the inner end of the cutter mechanism. B represents the auxiliary lever, which is operated by this hand-lever and connected by a chain b' with the gag-lever. C represents the tilting lever, which is mountechon the frame, and o is the rod which extends forwardly from the lower end of this lever to the cutter mechanism. D represents the crankwheel at the front end ofthe longitudinal shaft, from which the cutter-bar is actuated by the pitman d. F represents the fingerbar. All of these parts are of any well-known or suitable construction and arrangement.

Gr represents the coupling-bar, which ex.- tends transversely and downwardly in an oblique direction, as usual, from the front end *of the frame A toward the cutter mechanism.

This coupling-bar has at its inner or stubbleward end an attaching-head G, which is pro- I on its upper side to makey room for the pitman, which passes over thearm.

I represents a longitudinal coupling-head which is arranged at the outer or grainward end of the coupling-bar and extends forwardly therefrom. The outer end of the front brace `H is connected with the front end of this coupling-head in any suitable mannerfor instance, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, by forming the brace with a rearwardly-projecting end ZL', which engages in-an ear if, projecting from the inner side of the coupling-head.

The coupling-head I is provided in line with the coupling-bar with a horizontal bearing Zr, which projects inwardly from the head and which connects at its inner end with curved front and rear arms'k' Z22, carrying at their inner ends an attaching-sleeve For convenience in assembling the parts and for combining strength with lightness the coupling-bar G is formed of a tubular body, to which the attaching-head G and the attaching-sleeve 7c3 of the coupling-head-are secured by pressing these parts upon the tubular body. These connections may, however, be effected in any other suitable manner. The curved arms Zt" Z22 form, in connection with the bearing Zta-nd the attaching-sleeve k3, an open frame between the outer end of the coupling-bar and the coupling-head I. The rear arm 7a2 is provided with a sleeve ki in which the outer end of the rear brace if is secured. rIhe bearing Z; is provided near its inner end with an veye Z0, in which the draft-bar Zr? engages. The coupling-head I is concave on its under side to make roomfor the outer portion of the pitman. In

its normal position the coupling-bar inclines grinward and the bearing Z0 stands horizonta y.

L represents a tiltinghead yoke or plate, which is arranged against the outer side of the coupling-head I and to which the fingerbar is attached. This tilting head is connected at its rear end with the coupling-head by a transverse pivot Z, turning in the bearing Zr, so that by tilting the head on this pivot the front end of the head is swung up or down. rlhe finger-bar partakes of this tilting movement of the tilting head, whereby the front edge of the cutter mechanism is raised or lowered, thereby raising or lowering the line of cut accordingly.

The pivot Z, by which the tilting head L is attached to the coupling-head, extends inwardly beyond the bearing Zt' into the open space between the arms Zt" ,702, where the pivot carries a tilting standard or arm Z, to which the front end of the rod c is attached, which connects with the lower end of the tilting lever C. The pivot Z is preferably tubular to reduce its weight.

M represents the inner shoe, to which the Enger-bar is secured, as usual. This shoe is hinged to the tilting head by pivotal or hinge connections arranged lengthwise of the machine, so that the outer end of the finger-bar can rise and fall in operation and can be folded up when not required for use. These hinge connections are constructed as follows:

n represents a longitudinal bearing which is formed on the outer side of the tilting head L near the rear end thereof, and n. represents perforated lugs formed on the rear portion of the shoe and straddling the bearing n, to which they are connected by a pintle n2.

O represents an eyebolt secured to the front portion of the tilting head and engaging between perforated lugs 0 on the front portion of the shoe, to which the eyebolt is connected by a pintle 02, arranged in line with the pintle n2. The eyebolt is screwed into a threaded socket 03 which is formed on the tilting head and in which the eyebolt is adjustable toward or from the tilting head. The eyebolt is preferably clamped in its adjusted position by a jam-nut 0*. By screwing the eyebolt into the socket the outer end of the finger-bar is forced forwardly, whereby any sagging of the outer end arising from wear or looseness of the parts can be taken up.

Prepresents the gag-lever, which bears with its outer end upon the heel p of the shoe M and is connected at its inner end to the chain ZJ', operated fromthe hand-lever B, as usual. In order to enable the gag-lever to retain its position relative to the shoe as' the4 latter and the finger-bar are tilted on the pivot Z, the gaglever is pivoted to a support which is carried by the tilting head L and partakes of the tilting movement of the same. This support is preferably formed by a bar p', which extends outwardly from the tilting standard Z and is provided at its outer end with a stud p2, which enga-ges in an eye p3, formed on the tilting head L above its pivot Z. The bar p is preferably cast in one piece with the standard Z', and the latter is secured by a pin p4 or-,other suitable fastening to the inner end of the pivot Z after the stud p2 has been inserted in the eye p3, whereby these parts are firmly secured together. The bar p is provided with an overhanging ear p5, forming, with the bar, a double support for 'the pivot p6 ofthey gaglever, Figs. 6 to 8.

rIhe front end of the coupling-head'I is provided with a guide or keeper g, which overlaps the front end of the tiltinghead and guides the latter as it moves up or down and holds the same in Contact with the couplinghead against the rearward pressure which is caused in the cutter mechanism bythe resistance of the grass or grain. This guide q is secured to the front portion of the couplinghead by bolts g', kso as to be detachable, vand is preferably formed, as shown inv Figs. 4, 5,and l0, on a front extension Q of the couplinghead. The leading-wheel R is mounted Von this extension and is preferably vertically ad- IOO IIO

justable thereon for high or low cutbyA providing a vertical series of openings fr for the stud 0*', on which the wheel-turns, as shownV in Fig. l0, or in any other suitable manner. In Fig. l2 is vrepresented a guide extension Q' without a wheel, which is substitutedfor the wheeled extension when a long-nosed sledshaped shoe is employed. Extensions of different length and provided with wheels. .of

diiferent diameters may be provided for adapting the device to shoes of different forms or sizes.

The coupling-head at the grainward end of the coupling-bar is firmly held in position by the coupling-bar, the front brace, and the push-bar or rear brace. The front brace holds the front end of the coupling-head securely against the backward pressure of the ngerbar and forms, with the coupling-bar, the attaching-head, and the coupling-head a very strong and rigid movable frame for supporting the cutter mechanism. The backward sagging of the outer end of the Eigner-bar, resulting from looseness of the parts or other causes, is readily corrected by means of the adjustable connection at the front end of the tilting head. The'tilting head is firmly connected to this coupling-head at its rear end by the long pivot and at its front end by the guide or keeper and holds the shoe and finger-bar securely and enables the same to be tilted without allowing the outer end of the linger-bar to sag. The gag-lever partakes of the tilting movement of the tilting head and retains its position relative to the shoe in all positions of the latter.

The transverse pivot on which the tilting head rocks is arranged about in line with the heel or rear edge of the nger-bar, and the fingers are located in front of-this pivot. The points of the fingers and the cutters are therefore located at a considerable distance in front of the pivot-line and rise or fall considerably in tilting the head. The plane or level of the cut can therefore be considerably raised or lowered by tilting the head and can be adjusted closely to the ground or at a considerable height above the ground.

I claim as my inventionl. rlhe combination of a coupling-bar, a coupling-head rigidly secured to the grainward end thereof, a tilting head connected at its rear end to the rear end of said couplinghead by a transverse pivot, means for guiding the front end of the tilting head in its vertical movement, a shoe attached to said tilting head, and a finger-bar secured to said shoe and having its rear edge arranged adjacent to said pivot and its fingers arranged forwardly of the pivot, whereby the points of the iingers are located at a considerable distance in front of said pivot and are raised or lowered by tilting the head without materially changing the elevation of the rear edge of the iinger-bar, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a coupling-bar, a coupling-head secured to the grainward end thereof, a brace arranged in front of the coupling-bar and secured to the front portion of said head, a tilting head arranged on the grainward side of said coupling-'head and pivoted at its rear end to the same, a guide arranged on the front end of said coupling-head and engaging the front end of said tilting head,

and a shoe and finger-bar carried by said tilting head, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of ainain frame, a coupling-bar, a coupling-head secured to the grainward end thereof, a push-bar arranged in rear of-the coupling-bar and' connecting the latter with the main frame, a brace arranged in front of the coupling-bar and secured to the front portion of said head, a' tilting head arranged on the grainward side of said coupling-head and pivoted thereto, and a shoe and linger-bar carried by said tilting head, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a main frame, a coupling-bar provided at its inner end with an attaching-head which is pivoted to the main frame, a coupling-head secured to the grainward end of the coupling-bar, a bracear-` ranged in front of the coupling-bar and connecting said attaching-head to said couplinghead, a tilting head pivoted to said couplingbar, and a shoe and finger-bar carried by said tilting head, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a coupling-bar, a coupling-head arranged at the grainward end thereof, an open frame interposed between the coupling-bar and the coupling-head, a pivotbearing extending through said coupling-head into said open frame, a tilting head having its pivot arranged in said bearing, a tilting post arranged in said open frame and secured to said pivot, and a shoe and finger-bar carriedhby said tilting head, substantially as set fort Y 6. rlhe combination of a coupling-bar, a coupling-head arranged at the grainward end thereof, a tilting head pivoted to said couplinghead, a shoe and finger-bar carriedl by said tilting head, a gag-lever, and a gag-lever support which is attached to said tilting head and partakes of its tilting movement, substantially as set forth.

7. rlhe combination of a coupling-bar, a coupling-head secured to the grainward end thereof and provided with a pivot-bearing, a tilting head having its pivot extending through said bearing, a tilting post secured to said pivot on the inner side of said bearing, a sup- IOO IIO

port for the gag-.lever secured to said post thereof, a tilting head pivoted to said coupling-head, a shoe connected at its rear end to said tilting head by a longitudinal pivotal joint, a longitudinal pivotal joint connecting the front portion of said shoe with said tilting head and consisting of a screw-eye arranged in a threaded socket on the tilting head and ears on the shoe to which said eye is pivoted, and a nger-bar carried by said shoe, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of a coupling-bar, a coupling-head secured to the grainward end thereof and projecting forwardly therefrom, a tilting head connected at its rear end to the rear end of said coupling-head by a transverse pivot, a front extension secured to said coupling-head and provided with a guide which engages the front end of said tilting head, a leading-wheel mounted on said front eXtension, a shoe attached to said tilting head, and a finger-bar secured to said shoe and having its fingers arranged in front of said transverse pivot, substantially as set forth.

l1. In a device of the class described, the combination of the yoke having a screwthreaded socket with a threaded stem mounted in said socket, and means for connecting said stem with the shoe.

12. A yoke having a screw-threaded socket in combination with a screw-threaded stern mounted in said socket and having a tubular cross-piece at its outer end, and a bolt connecting the same with the shoe of a mowingmachine.

vWitness myhand this 27th day of June,

THOMAS S. BROWN. Witnesses:

HOWARD A. SoMERs, LOUIS N. FROST. 

